What soil pH range favors availability of most essential nutrients for ornamentals in Florida soils?

• A. Approximately pH 6.0 to 6.5
• B. pH 4.0 to 4.5
• C. pH 7.5 to 8.0
• D. pH 8.5 to 9.0

Answer: (A)

Nutrient availability in soil is controlled by pH because pH changes how nutrients dissolve and how roots exchange ions. For most ornamentals grown in Florida, a soil pH around 6.0 to 6.5 keeps many nutrients in forms that are readily soluble and extractable by roots, providing a good balance for growth. In this range, phosphorus becomes more available than in very acidic soils, calcium and magnesium remain accessible, and micronutrients like iron stay sufficiently available to support healthy foliage without tipping into toxicity. If the pH drops too low, aluminum toxicity and imbalanced iron/m manganese uptake can cause problems; if it climbs too high, iron, zinc, and other micronutrients can become deficient. So, approximately 6.0 to 6.5 offers the best overall nutrient availability for a wide range of ornamentals in Florida soils.